About Bovista plumbea Pers.
Fruiting bodies of Bovista plumbea Pers. measure 1.5–3.5 centimetres (1⁄2–1+1⁄2 inches) across, are attached to their growing substrate by a tuft of mycelium, and range in shape from spherical to slightly compressed. The outer layer of the fruiting body (exoperidium) is white when young, maturing to a buff or pale tan color. It has a fine, downy texture, and may sometimes split into distinct small areolate patches. Over time, the exoperidium flakes away, or peels off in large sheets — the sheet peeling typically occurs when the fungus matures in hot, dry conditions. The inner endoperidium membrane is lead-grey, and may have fragments of the exoperidium attached to it or not.
Bovista plumbea is commonly found in Western Europe and California. It typically grows scattered or clustered in disturbed areas, most often in sparse grass. Young fruiting bodies of this species can be halved and cooked, but they have a bland flavor and are too insubstantial to be considered of much culinary interest.
